Originally published: March 21, 2020. Last updated: Oct 11, 2026.
Europe remains one of the most popular study destinations in the world, and cost is the biggest question most international students face before they apply. Tuition fees, visa costs, and living expenses add up quickly, which is why understanding the scholarship landscape matters as much as choosing a university. The good news is that Europe offers some of the most generous student funding in the world, from European Union programmes that cover full master’s degrees to national government awards and university grants. This guide explains the main types of scholarships available in Europe, profiles the flagship programmes with their current funding amounts, and walks you through how to apply step by step.
The Main Types of Scholarships in Europe
Most European scholarships fall into one of the categories below. Many awards combine two or more of them, for example a government-funded scholarship that is also merit-based. If you are still weighing the decision to go abroad at all, our guide on reasons to study abroad covers the career and personal case for making the move.
Need-Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships support students whose families cannot comfortably cover tuition and living costs. Eligibility is assessed on your financial background, and committees typically ask for documents such as family income statements, tax records, household size, and employment status. These awards are common at the university level across Europe and are often combined with academic requirements, so a strong application still matters.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships reward academic excellence, and they are the most common type in Europe. Depending on your grades, you may receive full or partial tuition coverage. Some merit awards target students from specific countries or regions, and a number are reserved for women pursuing degrees in fields where they are underrepresented, such as engineering and technology. Because competition is intense, apply early and make sure your transcripts and references are strong.
Government-Funded Scholarships
National governments run some of the largest and most generous awards on the continent. These scholarships are funded by taxpayers to attract talented students and build long-term ties between countries. They usually cover tuition plus a living stipend, and they often come with a clear application calendar each year. Major examples include the Chevening Scholarships in the United Kingdom, the France Excellence Eiffel scholarship, and the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals. Each is profiled with current amounts later in this guide.
European Union-Funded Scholarships
The European Union funds study mobility through the Erasmus+ programme, and its flagship award is the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship. Unlike national awards, Erasmus Mundus lets you study in at least two or three different European countries as part of a single joint master’s degree, with one application covering the whole programme. As of 2026, the scholarship pays EUR 1,400 per month for the full duration of the programme and charges no tuition fees.
University Scholarships
Many European universities offer their own scholarships and grants, and some are awarded automatically when you apply for a programme. These range from partial tuition discounts for high achievers to full awards funded by private donors and university foundations. Germany’s Deutschlandstipendium, worth EUR 300 per month and co-funded by the federal government and private sponsors, is a well-known example open to students of all nationalities. Always check the funding page of each university you apply to, because these awards are easy to miss.
Subject-Specific and Country-Specific Awards
Some scholarships are tied to a field of study or to students from particular countries. Germany’s DAAD EPOS programme, for instance, funds postgraduate courses related to development, such as public policy, engineering, agriculture, and public health, for professionals from developing and emerging economies. If your profile is narrow, such as a specific nationality or discipline, targeted awards often have far less competition than the big global programmes.
Flagship Scholarships in Europe: 2026 Amounts and Eligibility
The table below compares the best-known awards. All figures are as of 2026 and are drawn from the official programme pages linked in each section. Amounts and deadlines change every cycle, so always confirm the current numbers on the official page before you plan around them.
| Scholarship | Level | Funding (as of 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Master’s | EUR 1,400/month, no tuition | Students who want to study in multiple European countries |
| France Excellence Eiffel | Master’s, PhD | EUR 1,200/month (master’s), EUR 2,100/month (PhD); tuition not included | High achievers nominated by a French institution |
| DAAD EPOS | Master’s, PhD | EUR 992/month (master’s), up to EUR 1,400/month (PhD) | Professionals from developing countries with 2+ years of work experience |
| Deutschlandstipendium | Bachelor’s, Master’s | EUR 300/month | High achievers enrolled at German universities |
| Chevening | Master’s (one year) | Fully funded: tuition, stipend, travel | Emerging leaders with 2,800 hours of work experience |
| Swedish Institute Scholarship | Master’s | Fully funded: tuition, living costs, insurance, travel | Professionals from 34 eligible countries with 3,000 hours of work experience |
| Government of Ireland (GOI-IES) | Master’s, PhD | EUR 10,000 stipend plus full fee waiver for one year | High-calibre postgraduates from outside the EU/EEA |
| NL Scholarship | Bachelor’s, Master’s | One-off EUR 5,000 in the first year | Non-EEA students starting a degree in the Netherlands |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU-wide)
Run under the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme, Erasmus Mundus funds prestigious joint master’s degrees delivered by consortia of universities in at least three European countries. The 2026 Erasmus+ Programme Guide sets the scholarship at EUR 1,400 per month for the entire programme (12, 18, or 24 months depending on the course), which is meant to cover travel, visa, installation, and living costs. Tuition and insurance are covered on top. You apply directly to the consortium running the master’s you want; most application windows fall between October and January for courses starting the following September. Note that some programmes in a given year run without scholarship places, so check the funding page of the specific consortium before applying.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship (France)
The France Excellence Eiffel scholarship, managed by Campus France, is the French government’s flagship award for international master’s and doctoral students. As of 2026 it pays a monthly allowance of EUR 1,200 for master’s students and EUR 2,100 for doctoral candidates, plus international airfare, health insurance, and housing assistance. Two points catch applicants out: tuition fees are not covered by the programme, and you cannot apply directly. Only French higher education institutions can submit candidates, so your first step is to contact the international office of the French university you want to attend and ask to be put forward.
DAAD EPOS Scholarships (Germany)
Germany’s DAAD EPOS programme (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) funds master’s and doctoral study in development-related fields for graduates from developing and emerging economies. As of 2026, the monthly stipend is EUR 992 for master’s students and up to EUR 1,400 for doctoral candidates, with funding lasting 12 to 42 months depending on the programme. Health, accident, and liability insurance plus a travel allowance are included, and public university tuition in Germany is already free or near-free. You need a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of relevant professional experience, and you apply directly to the postgraduate course, whose selection committee nominates candidates to DAAD. If Germany appeals to you, read our guide on the top reasons Germany is the best destination for studying abroad.
Deutschlandstipendium (Germany)
The Deutschlandstipendium is Germany’s national merit scholarship, open to talented students of all nationalities enrolled at German universities. It pays EUR 300 per month, half funded by the federal government and half by private sponsors such as companies and foundations, for at least two semesters. Selection looks beyond grades to social engagement and personal achievement, and it can be held alongside other grants. Because it is awarded by each university separately, check the scholarship page of your chosen German university for its own deadline.
Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship programme, offering fully funded one-year taught master’s degrees at UK universities to outstanding emerging leaders. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and travel to and from the UK. Eligibility requires citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country, an undergraduate degree, at least 2,800 hours of post-degree work experience, and a commitment to return home for at least two years after the award. Applications typically open in August and close in October; the 2027/28 cycle closed on 6 October 2026, so the next window is the one to prepare for. If you are comparing British universities, see our list of the top 10 universities in the UK for international students.
Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (Sweden)
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded master’s scholarship covering tuition, living costs, insurance, and travel. It targets professionals from 34 eligible countries who can document at least 3,000 hours of work experience and demonstrated leadership experience. The process has two stages: first apply to eligible Swedish master’s programmes through the national admissions portal, then submit the separate scholarship application. For the 2026 cycle, the scholarship portal was open from 9 to 25 February 2026, so expect a similar early-year window each cycle and prepare your documents months in advance.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (Ireland)
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES), managed by Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, awards 60 scholarships each year for one year of full-time postgraduate study (master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD). Each award combines a EUR 10,000 stipend with a full tuition and registration fee waiver from the host institution. Applicants must be domiciled outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK, and must already hold an offer from an eligible Irish institution. The 2026 call closed on 12 March 2026, with applications typically opening each January. For help choosing where to apply, browse our guide to the top 10 universities in Ireland for international students.
NL Scholarship (Netherlands)
The NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship), financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with participating universities, gives non-EEA students a one-off contribution of EUR 5,000 in the first year of a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme in the Netherlands. It is a contribution toward living costs rather than a full award, and you apply through the participating institution as part of your degree application, with deadlines set by each university. One important update: the larger Orange Knowledge Programme, run by Nuffic, officially ended on 31 December 2024 after Dutch government funding was discontinued, so any guide still listing it as open is out of date.
What Do These Scholarships Typically Cover?
Coverage varies widely, so treat the list below as a menu rather than a promise. Fully funded awards such as Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, the Swedish Institute Scholarship, and DAAD EPOS typically bundle most of these items, while partial awards may cover only one or two:
- Full or partial tuition fees (note the Eiffel exception: it does not pay tuition)
- A monthly living allowance, from EUR 300 (Deutschlandstipendium) to EUR 2,100 (Eiffel doctoral)
- Travel costs, such as one return air ticket between your home country and the host country
- Health, accident, and liability insurance
- Visa and residence permit application fees (some programmes)
- Research, thesis, or book allowances (some programmes)
- Language training or installation support (some programmes)
Always read the official award terms: two scholarships with similar names can cover very different things, and “fully funded” means something specific in each programme’s rulebook.
How to Apply for Scholarships in Europe: A Step-by-Step Checklist
- Start 12 to 18 months before your intended start date. Most European scholarship deadlines fall 6 to 12 months before courses begin, and some (Eiffel, Chevening) close almost a year ahead.
- Shortlist programmes by fit, not just prestige. Match your degree level, field, nationality, and work experience against the eligibility rules above before investing time in applications.
- Apply to the degree first where required. For the Swedish Institute Scholarship and GOI-IES, you need a university application or offer before or alongside the scholarship application. For Eiffel, you must be nominated by the French institution.
- Prepare documents early. Typical requirements include transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, a motivation letter or statement of purpose, reference letters, proof of language proficiency, and proof of work experience. Some programmes (Swedish Institute, DAAD) require their own templates, so download them as soon as they are published.
- Write a genuine motivation letter. Committees read thousands of these. Explain why this country, this programme, and this moment in your career, and what you will do with the qualification afterward. Generic praise of Europe does not stand out.
- Track every deadline in one place. Scholarship portals close exactly on time (the Swedish Institute portal, for example, closed at 14:59 CET on its final day in 2026), and late submissions are not accepted.
- Apply for several awards in parallel. You do not know which one you will get, and most programmes allow simultaneous applications. Just make sure you meet each one’s conditions if more than one succeeds.
5 Mistakes That Cost Students Their Scholarship
1. Missing the real deadline. The university admission deadline and the scholarship deadline are often different, and the scholarship one is usually earlier. Confirm both.
2. Applying for the wrong level. Most flagship European awards fund postgraduate study. If you are finishing school, focus on bachelor’s-level options like the NL Scholarship or university-specific grants instead.
3. Ignoring the nomination rule. Eiffel candidates cannot apply directly; DAAD EPOS candidates apply to the course, not to DAAD. Applying through the wrong channel wastes the whole effort.
4. Submitting a one-size-fits-all motivation letter. Tailor every letter to the programme’s stated values. Chevening looks for leadership and a clear return-home plan; the Swedish Institute looks for professional and leadership experience with societal impact.
5. Assuming US-style athletic scholarships exist in Europe. They barely do. European universities rarely offer full athletic scholarships the way American colleges do, so do not build your funding plan around sport unless a specific university advertises it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which European scholarship is easiest to get?
None of the flagship awards is easy; all are highly competitive. Your best odds come from fit rather than prestige: targeted awards such as DAAD EPOS (if you match the development field and experience requirements) or university-specific grants often have smaller applicant pools than global programmes like Erasmus Mundus or Chevening. Applying to several well-matched awards beats betting everything on one famous name.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
Yes, and you should. Most programmes permit parallel applications, and given how competitive each one is, a broader strategy improves your chances. The exception is holding two full awards at once: if you win more than one, you will normally have to choose, so check each programme’s rules on combining funding.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for European scholarships?
It depends on the programme and the university, not the scholarship alone. DAAD EPOS requires recent proof of English or German language skills, and most English-taught master’s programmes ask for IELTS or TOEFL. Some universities waive the test if your previous degree was taught in English. Check the language requirements of both the degree and the scholarship before you pay for a test.
Are there fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Europe?
Few. Most flagship European awards (Erasmus Mundus, Eiffel, DAAD EPOS, Chevening, Swedish Institute, GOI-IES) fund postgraduate study only. For bachelor’s degrees, look at the NL Scholarship (a EUR 5,000 first-year contribution), university-specific grants, and countries with very low or no tuition fees, such as Germany and Norway, where the main cost is living expenses.
When should I start applying for 2027 entry?
Start now. A practical timeline: research programmes and check eligibility in late 2026, prepare documents and language tests through early 2027, and submit applications as windows open. Typical annual windows include Chevening (August to October), Erasmus Mundus consortia (October to January), GOI-IES (January to March), and the Swedish Institute (February). Deadlines shift each year, so confirm them on the official programme pages.
Is the Orange Knowledge Programme still available?
No. The Orange Knowledge Programme ended on 31 December 2024 after the Dutch government discontinued its funding, and no new application rounds are planned. If you want funded study in the Netherlands, look at the NL Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus programmes hosted by Dutch universities, and individual Dutch university scholarships instead.
Europe’s scholarship landscape rewards students who research early, match their profile honestly to eligibility rules, and apply broadly. Pick two or three programmes from this guide that fit your level, field, and nationality, verify the current cycle’s amounts and deadlines on the official pages linked above, and get your documents ready well before the portals open.
